Targeting heterochromatin formation to transposable elements in Drosophila: potential roles of the piRNA system

Authors

Monica F. Sentmanat, Washington University in St. LouisFollow
SH Wang, Washington University in St. Louis
Sarah C.R. Elgin, Washington University in St. LouisFollow

Author's School

Arts & Sciences

Author's Department

Biology

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-2013

Originally Published In

Sentmanat M, Wang SH, Elgin SC. Targeting heterochromatin formation to transposable elements in Drosophila: potential roles of the piRNA system. Biochemistry (Mosc). 2013;78(6):562–571. doi:10.1134/S0006297913060023

Abstract

Successful heterochromatin formation is critical for genome stability in eukaryotes, both to maintain structures needed for mitosis and meiosis and to silence potentially harmful transposable elements. Conversely, inappropriate heterochromatin assembly can lead to inappropriate silencing and other deleterious effects. Hence targeting heterochromatin assembly to appropriate regions of the genome is of utmost importance. Here we focus on heterochromatin assembly in Drosophila melanogaster, the model organism in which variegation, or cell-to-cell variable gene expression resulting from heterochromatin formation, was first described. In particular, we review the potential role of transposable elements as genetic determinants of the chromatin state and examine how small RNA pathways may participate in the process of targeted heterochromatin formation.

Comments

© Pleiades Publishing, Ltd., 2013.

ORCID

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5176-2510 [Elgin]

Recommended Citation

Sentmanat, Monica F.; Wang, SH; and Elgin, Sarah C.R., "Targeting heterochromatin formation to transposable elements in Drosophila: potential roles of the piRNA system" (2013). Biology Faculty Publications & Presentations. 171.
https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/bio_facpubs/171